Control system



June 24, 1941.

H. s. JoNE s CONTROL SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 3, 1937 INVEN TOR HARRY S. JONES A TTORNEY June 24, 1941.

H. s. JONES 2,246,686

CONTROL SYSTEM 7 Filed Aug. 3, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 M FIG. 3. W 3

" :5 HARRY s. JONES j Q M A TTORNEY June 24, 1941. s, JoNEs CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 3, 1937 6'Sheets-Sheeq 3 SENSITIVITY FIG. 3A.

" m I a u INVENTOR.

. HARRY s. JONES BY N \\um flg e ATTORNEY June 24, 1941. H s JONES v 2,246,686

CONTROL SYSTEM I Filed Aug. 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

. HARRY s. JONES ATTORNEY H. S. JONES CONTROL SYSTEM Jime 24, 1941.

Filed Aug. 3, 1937 6 Shegts-Sheet 5 3 mm I E mum G INVENTOR HARRY s. JONES sy fimwm g ATTORNEY June 24, 1941. s JONES 2,246,686

' CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 3, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 l2 INVEN TOR. HARRY s. JONES A TTORNE Y Patented June 24, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT FFlCE CONTROL SYSTEM Harry S. Jones, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to The Brown Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 3, 1937, Serial No. 157,084

36 Claims. (01. 172-239) The general object of the present invention is to provide improved electrical control apparatus.

More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide improved electrical control apparatus comprising a meter, which, in many cases, is advantageously a self-balancing potentiometer instrument, for measuring a controlling quantity or value, and for actuating a relay mechanism to effect corrective control adjustments in accordance with variations in the controlling quantity.

More specifically still, the object-of the present invention is to provide .electrical control appa- 7 ratus of the character above mentioned, with simple and effective means for adjusting it for desirable operation, under different conditions of use.

In a preferred form, the improved control apparatuaincludes a reversible electric motor automatically actuated to effect a so-called' "reset adjustment, whereby on a change in an operating condition, such, for example, as a change in the load on a furnace which is being controlled to minimize variations in a furnace temperature,

-' the tendency of the furnace load or other operating condition change todecrease or increase the furnace temperature or other controlling condition may be neutralized.

The preferred form of invention also includes means for effecting an adjustment in the rate of reset adjustment, whereby on the change in furnace load, or analogous operating condition, the compensating adjustment necessary to the maintenance of the approximately constant value of the furnace temperature or other controlling quantity, may be varied, to the end thatthe time required for full compensation for the opcrating condition change. may be reduced to the practical minimum possible without risk of objectionable hunting.

In the preferred form of the invention, also, provisions ,are included forreadily effecting a so-called throttling range adjustment, whereby matic reset action maybe dispensed with, and

. portioning control circuits.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, its advantages, and specific objects attained with its use, reference should be had to the-accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

0f the drawings: Figs, 1, 2, and 3 are control circuit diagrams each illustrating a diflerent form of the invention;

Fig. 3A

illustrates one modification of apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 illustrates a second modification of apparatus shown in Fig. 3; 4

Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of another portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 6 and 7 are control circuit diagrams each illustrating a diiferent form of theinvention;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of apparatus which may be used in conjunction with other apparatus shown in Figs. 6 and 7;

the extent of adjustment to which the fuel valve or other'reg'ulator directlycontrolled is adjusted in response to a given change in the furnace temperature or other control quantity, maybe varied.

1n-its preferred form, also, thecontrol apparatus includes provisions for effecting a sensitivity adjustment whereby the adjustment steps-oi the valve or other regulator can be made as'small as is practically possible without giving rise to hunting.

In its preferred form, also, the improved-control apparatus includes means whereby the auto- Figs. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing differ ent modifications of the apparatus of Fig. 8;

Fig. 9 is a control circuit diagram illustrating still another form of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a diagram of thermionic amplifying means which may be used in various forms of the invention;

Fig. 11 is an elevation of .a control panel in which a control instrument and associated control devices are mounted; V

Fig. 12 is an elevation partly in section, illustrating details of a manually adjustablemechanism shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective rear view. of a portifon of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11;

matically illustrated in Fig. 1, the fuel supply to a furnace A is regulated by the adjustment of a fuel supply valve B in automatic response to variations in a furnace temperature, as required to maintain that temperature approximately constant. The furnace temperature is measured by means shown diagrammatically as comprising the bulb C of a fluid pressure type thermometer,

connected to a measuring instrument, including 1.;

an actuating element in the form of an arc shaped Bourdon tube D to which the thermometer bulb pressure is transmitted. On an increase or decrease in the furnace temperature, the resultant flexure' of the Bourdon tube D,

moves a contact D along a measuring instrument slide wire resistor d, up or down as seen in Fig. 1. The initial effect of any movement of the contact D, is to unbalance a normally balanced control circuit including the resistor d, and

thereby to energize a reversible control motor E for operation in the direction to effect a corrective adjustment of the fuel valve B, and a corresponding circuit rebalancing adjustment of a contact E. .The motor E, as shown, operates in one direction or the other accordingly as one or the other of its two field windings E and E is energized. The armature shaft E of the'motor is operatively connected to the movable ele 2 and I, current flows in parallel through two branches of the control circuit. One of those branches includes the portion of the resistor d above the contact D, the conductor 6 connecting the upper end of the resistance d to the portion of a rheostat resistance g between the conductor 6 and a rheostat contact G engaging and adjustable along the resistance a, a conductor 8 connecting the contact G to one terminal of relay coil F, a conductor Ill connecting the second terminal of the coil 1" to the upper end of the resistor e, and the portion of the latter above the contact E. The other branch of the control circuit includes portions of the resistor d and e below the contacts D' and E respectively, the relay coil F more or less of a rheostat resistance ya. engaged by a contact G and conductors I,

9, and ll,,analogous in their circuit relations to the conductors 6, 8, and i0.

The resistances g and ya and contacts G and G may be regarded as forming parts of a single control point resetting device including a knob ment of the fuel valve B and to the contact E,

which is adjustable along a slide wirewresistor 6 included in the control circuit. The control circuit is energized by the connection of the con-. tactsE' and D to supply conductors l and 2.

As s hown, the energization of the motor E is 40 directly controlled by an electro-magnetic relay F comprising an armature F'- movable axially in two end-to-end solenoid coils F and F included in the control circuit, to thereby adjust a motor energizing switch F In the normal balanced condition of the control circuit, the strength of the current flow is the same in the two coils F and F and the armature F has opposite end portions of the same length respectively received in the two coils F and F so that the two coils exert electro-magnetic pulls on the armature F, equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction. In that symmetrical, balanced position of the armature F, a pivoted switch member F connected to the armature F, occupies an intermediate position in which it is between, and out of engagement with each of the switch contacts F and F The switch member F is tilted counter-clockwise on an increase in the furnace temperature,

.and resultant up movement of contact D, and thereby energizes the winding E and causes the motor E to operate in the direction to increase the throttling efi'ect of the valve B and to lower the contact E and thereby rebalance' the control 5 relay switch contact F and a conductor 5 connecting the switch member F to the supply conductor 2. Conversely, on a decrease in the furnace temperature and down movement of the G, which may be manually rotated to thereby rotate a shaft connection G between the knob G and the contacts G and G The rotation of the knob G in one direction or the other increases or decreases, depending on the direction of knob rotation, the amount of the resistance g in circuit, and simultaneously and similarly decreases and increases the amount of the resistance 90 in circuit. The magnitude of the resistance in the control circuit is thus not varied by the adjustment of the reset device G, but the initial effect of that adjustment is to change the relative amounts of resbtance in the parallel control circuit branches respectively including the two resistances. The ultimate effect of the resetting adjustment, is to change the positions of the contact E and the throttling adjustment of the fuel valve B assumed when the controlcircuitis balanced with the bulb at its normal, or predetermined, temperature, and with the contact D'- in its mid position.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, with the coils F and 1 similar to one another -and adapted to exert similar but opposing eflects on the armature F, the member F. can be maintained in its intermediate position,-

only when the control circuit is balanced, so that the currents through the coils F and F are equal. With the control circuit energized as described, this means that in the balanced condition, the impedance of each of the two branches of the control circuit must be the same. In consequence, any adjustment of' the contact D which initially increases the resistance in one and decreases the resistance in the other of the two branches of'the control circuit, must result 4 the second terminal of the winding E to the contact D, the switch member F tilts clockwise in a rebalancing adjustment of the contact E, increasing the amount of resistance in one of the two branch circuits asmuch as that amount was decreased by the initial adjustment of the .contact D, and decreasing the amount of re-- sistance in the second branch '0! the control circult as much as the resistance inthat branch was increased by the initial adjustment of the contact D.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1, includes means for eifecting a control range adjustment, commonly referred to as a throttling range adjustment, particularly when the control element is a valve, such as the valve B. The throttling, or control, range adjustment, varies the extent of adjustment of the valve B produced by a given movement of the contact D along the resistance d. The extent of thevalve adjustment produced by a given change in adjustment of the contact "rebalance the control system, when the latter is unbalanced by an initial change in position of the contact D. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the throttling range adjustment is effected by varying the amount of the resistance h which is included in a shunt to the resistance e. The resistance h has its upper and lower ends connected to the conductors l and I I respectively, and a conductor H connects the conductor II to a contact H engagingand adjustable along the resistance h. The contact H may be so adjusted by the rotation of a throttling adjustment knob H, having a shaft connection H with the contact H. As will be apparent, the total potential drop in the resistance e is increased and decreased by an increase and decrease respectively in the amount 01' the resistance h efiectiv'ely included in the shunt to the resistance e. The effect of a decrease in the potential drop in resistance e, is to increase the extent of the movement 01' the contact E re-. quired to rebalance the control circuit when the latter has been unbalanced by an initial adjustcuit shown in Fig.2, the resistors d and e and the series connected relay coils F and F are connected in parallel between the terminal conductors l2 and I3 01' the secondary winding of a transformer I, which has its primary winding connected between alternating supply conductors ment of given magnitude of the contact D. The

throttling range or the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is thus directly proportional to the potential drop in the resistance e.

The effect on the potential drop through the resistance 6, of a throttling range adjustment of the resistance It in circuit, is substantially directly proportional to the resistance of the con nection between the conductors "land I I, col- .lectively formed by the resistance e and by the shunt including more or less of the resistance h. The relation betweenthe unbalancing movement of the contact D and the consequentrebalancing movement of the contact E, is linear for all throttling ranges, and for any given throttling range adjustment of the knob H, the sensitivity of the apparatus is substantially constant over the entire range of contact movement. The joint effect of the resistance 6 and shunt resistance h on the throttling range of the apparatus, is exactly the same as it would be if the re-v sistances e and h were replaced by a single-slide wire resistance having the same resistance, for any adjustment of the knob H, as does the ac-- tual connection between the conductors l0 and VII formed by the resistor e and resistance It.

Such throttling range and reset adjustments as are provided for in Fig. 1, can be obtained with control circuit arrangements quite diflerent in form. from that shown in Fig. 1. One such' alternative control circuit arrangement is shown in Fig. 2, which also comprises means for automatically effecting resetting adjustments and thereby compensating for a change in furnace load or other condition which tends to vary the value of the controlling condition which the apparatus tends to maintain. In the control cirposes, as hereinafter explained, is also connected between the conductors I2 and I3.

The contact D of Fig. 2 is connected by conductor ll of negligible resistance to the point F at which the relay coils F and F are connected to one another. The contact D and the connection point F each have a variable resistance connection with the adjustable contact E, formed by a resistance ha connected at one end to the contact E and engaged by a contact'H adjustable along theresistance ha and connected to the conductor I4. The contact D and connection point F each have a variable resistance connection, also, with a contact G engaging and adjustable along a resistance gb connected between supply conductors l2 and I3, the said variable resistance connection including a resistance connected at one end to the contact G and engaged by a contact G adjustable along the resistance 90 andconnected to the point F".

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the contact D is adjusted by furnace temperature changes, and the contact E and the fuel valve B are adjusted by a motor E in response to any change in the current flows through the coils 1 and F as inthe arrangement shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the contact H may be manually adjusted by a throttling range adjusting knob H, as the knob H of Fig. 1 adjusts the contact H of that figure.

The control point resetting adjustments are efiected in Fig. 2, by the adjustment of the contact G along the resistance gb, automatically, following a change in the furnace temperature. by a reversible reset motor G". The latter has an armature shaft connection G with the contact G and is energized for operation in one direction or the other by the energization of one or the other of its field windings G and 6, each of which has one terminal connected through the motor armature and a conductor l5 to the supply conductor 2. The second terminal of the motor winding G is connected to a contact G by a conductor l6, and the second terminal of the motor winding G is connected by a conductor I! to a contact G The contacts G and G are arranged end to end along different portions of the path of movement of a contact D The latter is adjusted by the device D, and is connected by a conductor It! to the supply conductor l. 0

Whenever the contacts D and D which are similarly moved by the device D, are displaced upwardly from their normal or predetermined temperature positions, by an increase in the furnace temperature, the contact D engages the contact G and thereby energizes the motor winding G with the result that the motor G then operates in the direction to give an up adjustment to the contact G Conversely, on a.

decrease in the furnace temperature below norml, the contact D is moved down into engagement with the contact G so that the motor winding 6' is energized and the motor operates in the direction to give a down a'diustment' to the contact G As hereinafter explained, the automatic adjustment ofthe contact G results sistor d below contact D.

this condition exism, because there is a current V flow between D' and conductor it, which creates a potentialdrop in the portion of the resistance perature change, resulting in an adjustment of the contact D of Fig. 2, is to unbalance the control circuit so as to create a difference between the strengths of the current flows in relay coils F and F For example, an increase in furnace temperature and up adjustment of the contact D, increases the resistance to the flow of current between the contact D and the conductor l3, through the pathof flow formed by the lower portion of the resistor d, relative to the resistance of the path of flow including the conductor l4 and coil F. This increases the current flow through the coil F relative to the current flow through the relay coil F so that the switch F -will tilt clockwise. This will energize the motor winding E and cause the motor E to operate in the direction to give a closing adjustment to the fuel valve B and a down adjustment to the contact E. The effect of the down adjustment of the contact E is to decrease the resistance to the flow of current between the contact D and the conductor 13, in the path of flow of such current including the conductor I4, the contact H resistance ha, and the portion of the resistor e between the contact E and the conductor l3.

Stated differently, the effect of the initial up adjustment of the contact D is to increase the potential difierence between that contact and the'conductor l3, and between the latter and the point F, which is'always at the same potential as the contact D. This results in an increase in current flow through the relay coil F and the energization of the winding E of motor E. The down adjustment of the contact E pro- .duced by the resultant operation of the motor E, decreases the resistance of the shunt, including the portion of resistor e below contact E, about the portion of the resistor d between the contact D' and the conductor l3, and thus eliminates a portion of the increase in potential difference between contact D and conductor i3, produced by the initial adjustment of D. Such an automatic neutralization of a portion of an initial control adjustment is sometimes referred to as a follow-up action.

Assuming no other change in the circuit in the meantime, the motor E would continue its closing adjustment of the valve B and down adjustment of the contact E, until the circuit is so reba-lanced that the current flow through the relay coil F is again equal to the current flow through the relay coil F which means that the common potential of the contacts D and point F would again be midway between the potentials of the conductors l2 and I3.

In that condition of the apparatus, the current flows through the coils F and F must be equal, but the current flows through the portions of resistor d above contact D is necessarily greater than the current flow through the portion of re- As will be apparent,

the contact D, thusdepends upon the positionof the contact H along the resistance ha. The throttling range of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2

is, thus increased and decreased by adjusting the contact H to the left or right respectively as seen in Fig. 2.

If the initial up adjustment of the contact D' resulted from an increase in furnace temperature produced by reduction in the furnace load, which thereafterremains constant for a time, the above described partial closing adjustment of the fuel valve B would not return the furnace temperature to its normal value, but would tend to maintain it at a definitely higher value. For the return of the furnace temperature approximately to its normal value, following a furnace load decrease, a further compensating or resetting adjustment of the fuel valve B is required.

Such a compensating adjustment is effected in the control system of Fig. 2, by meansincluding the contact G and the means for adjusting it. As previously explained, on an increase in the furnace temperature moving the contact D into engagement with th contact G the motor G operates to give an up adjustment of the contact G This increases the potential of the point I", and results in a second additional down adjustment of the contact E, subsequent to that produced, as above described, as a direct result of the increase in the potential difference between D and I3. The net result of this automatic adjustment of the contact G is thus to increase the closing adjustment of the fuel valve B produced by the initial rise in the furnace temperature. Furthermore, the adjustment of the contact (i will continue until there is a reverse change in the fumace temperature suflicient to return the contacts D and D to their normal mid-positions. Adjustments of the apparatus of Fig. 2, which are the converse of those above described, will occur when the furnace temperature falls below its normal or predetermined value.

The adjustment effected by the motor G of Fig. 2, is a true compensating adjustment, making it possible to maintain approximately the if objectionable hunting is to be avoided.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the rate at which the reset or compensating control action of the motor G is effected may be adjusted manually by means of a knob G such as is employed in Fig. 1,to efiect the reset control action. In Fig. 2, the effect of an adjustment of the contact G on the potential of point F and position of contact E, depends upon the amount of resistance go in circuit between the contact G and the connection point F", and can be increased or decreased by operation of the knob G to adjust the contact G to the right or left as seen in Fig. 2,

along the resistance go. In consequence, the extent of operation of the reset motor G", and therefore the length of the time period required to effect the compensating adjustment of the contact E and valve B which will be sumcient to return the furnace temperature to the predeter- Y mined value, following a change in furnace load, depends upon and may be varied by varying the adjustment of; the contact (i As will be understood also, the speed characteristic of the reset motor G", and the ratio of reset motor motion to motion of contact G one furnace, and twenty minutes with another. In general, the operation ofthe valve motor E directly due to the adjustment of contact D will be effected much more quickly than that directl due to the adjustment of contact 6.

In Figure 3, I have illustrated a control circuit arrangement including resistors 11 and ab energized by a transformer I, and including a reset motor G" associated with contacts G, G", and- D", as in the arrangement shown in Fig. 2. The secondary of the transformer I has its terminals directly connected to the terminals of the instrument resistor d, and the reset resistor oh and has each ofits terminals connected to the corresponding terminals of the balancing resistor e through a corresponding variable resistance hb. Associated witheach resistance hb is a contact H which engages and is adjustable along the length of the resistance. The two contacts H. are adapted for similar simultaneous adjustments trolled. For example, it may be five minutes with tial difference causes the motor E to start into operation in the direction to give a closing adjustment to the fuel valve B and an up adjustment to the contact E. The last mentioned adjustment tends to eliminate the potential difference between the contacts E and G On its up movement resulting from the furnace temperature increase, the contact 13 engages the contact G and thereby starts the motor G" into operation in the direction to raise the contact G The raising of the contact G tends to create a potential difference between the contacts E and G in the same direction as that created by the initial up adjustment of the contact D, and results, therefore, in operation of the motor E in the direction to give a further up adjustment to the contact E, and a further through shaft connections 1-1 to a throttling switch mechanism employed in Figs. 1 and 2, to

control the relay motor E, is replaced in Fig. 3, by control means including a switch mechanism M, a reversible switch actuating electric motor L. and an electronic amplifying device J. The lat ter makes the operation of the motor L dependent on a change in the relative potentials of points in the control circuit network, which have their relative potentials changed by a change in position of the contact D and change in the reverse direction by the adjustments of contacts E and G resulting from the change in position of the contact D. In Fig. 3, the contact D is connected to the contact G through a resistance ad, and one input terminal J of the amplifier is connected to a contact G engaging and adjustable along the length of the resistance gd. The second amplifier input terminal J is connected to the contact E.

As is'plainly apparent, an increase or decrease in the portions of the resistance no in circuit will change the relative amounts of potential drop in the resistor e. That change in relative potential drops constitutes a throttling range adjustment, since it means that on a given extent of initial adjustment of the contact D, the extent of adjustment of the contact E required to rebalance the control circuit is increased, or decreased.

The general character of the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 will be apparent'from the immediately following description of the ence between contacts E and G That potenor compensating or reset adjustment of the valve B in the closingdirection.

The compensating adjustment of the valve B will continue until the contacts D and D are returning to their normal mid positions. When the system is thus stabilized, the contacts E and G will be in their respective mid positions only for some one particular furnace load, which may be regarded as the normal load for the prevailing calibration of the control system. the actual furnace load for which the control system is stabilized exceeds or is less than said normal load, the contacts G5 and E will be above or below their respective mid positions. In the stabilized condition of the apparatus,, the position of the contact E must correspond to the particular adjustment of the fuel valve B required for the maintenance of the normal furnace temperature with the prevailing furnace load, and the corresponding position of the contact G mustbe such, therefore, as to equalize the potentials of the contacts E and G". With the contact D in, and the contact G out of, its mid position, there will be current flow through the resistance gal, and the potential of the contact G if intermediate the ends of the resistance ad, will depend jointly on the position of that contact along the resistance yd, and on the displacement of the contact G from its mid position, since that displacement determines the magnitude of the current flow through the resistance gd.

In the extreme condition in which the contact G is at one end or the other of the resistance ad, the potential of G will be either the same as that of contact D or as that of the contact G In the first case, there can be no compensating or reset action, and in the second case, the motors E and G will tend to slowly effect an on and off control.

An adjustment of the contact G", from one intermediate position to another along the resistance gd, which may be effected manually by compensating motor Ct adjusts the contact Gr but slowly, any adjustment of the contact G by increasing or decreasing the extent of movement of contact G required for a given compensating adjustment, increases or decreases the time required to effect that adjustment.

The resistance yd is advantageously made large relative to the resistances of the instrumentand reset resistors d and ob. Advantageously, also, the apparatus is so arranged that current flow through the amplifier J or other device responsive to the relative potential of the contacts E and G is too small to have any direct eiiect on current and potential conditions in the control network. In practice, this result is insured by the use of an amplifier J, which so far as concerns its direct effect on control network conditions, behaves like a phase sensi-: tive A. C. galvanometer of ten or more times the resistance of the maximum resistance in the control network.

The amplifying unit J has power conductor connections 89 with the supply conductors l and 2, and has its output terminals J and J connected to the terminals of one winding L of the motor L. The latter as shown, is or a known type, adapted, when current flows through the winding L, to operate in one direction or the other, accordingly as that current flow lags or leads the current flow in a second winding L of the motor, which has its terminals connected to the supply conductors i and 2.

The proper phase difierence in, the current supply to the field windings L and L is obtained by means of the amplifier J which introduces a phase shift of nearly 90 in the current which it amplifies, as will be explained herein after. In consequence, the current flow in the winding L will lead or lag by nearly 90 the current in the winding L accordingly as the potential of one or the other of the contacts E and G is the higher. Therefore, an up adjustment of either contact D or G will result in operation of the motor L in one direction, and the motor may operate in the opposite direction in response to a down adjustment of either contact D, or G As will be readily apparent from Figs. 3-9, the motor L may be adapted to directly control the contact E as well as the valve B without the interposition of the relay motor E and the asso ciated circuits for energizing the latter. When so arranged, the circuit rebalancing operation in response to circuit unbalance resulting from condition changes, compensating or reset adustments, and/or throttling range or reset adjustments, will be precisely the same as hereinbefore described.

The switch mechanism M through which the motor L controls the. reversible relay motor E may take various forms, but in some cases is advantageously adapted to prevent coasting oi the relay motor E, by subjecting the latter to a positive braking or stop action, as soon as the switch mechanism M is adjusted to interrupt the energization of the motor, The elimination of, or reduction in motor coasting, is of considerable practical importance, particularly in thecase of a relatively large relay motor. The switch mechanism M shown in Fig. 3, and on a larger scale in Fig. 4, comprises a'switch carrier M rotat able about a shaft M and rotated by a gear L carried by the shaft of the motor L. The disc M supports a mercury switch MA, which connects one terminal of each of the windings E and E -of the motor E to, or disconnects said terminal fromthe supply conductor l, accord ingly as the switch MA is out of, or in its horizontal position, shown in Fig. 3. To .this end, one terminal of each of the windings E? and Ii. is connectedby a conductor 26 to two switch contacts 20 extending into the container of the switch MA, one adjacent each end of the latter. A conductor 2! connects the supply conductor l to two switch contacts 2i, which extend into the contacts 3 and d.

aaeaesc container of the switch MA, one adjacent each end of the latter.

As shown, the disc M is gear connected to a second switch carrying disc M rotatable about a pivot shaft M the gear connection being such that the angular movement of the disc M is appreciably smaller than'that of the disc M by which it is produced. The disc M carries a mercury switch rm, into the container of which five switch contacts extend. Those contacts comprise a central contact 22", and two end contacts 22', one at each side of the contact 22". The contact 22" and the two contacts 22 are connected by a conductor 22 to the supply conductor 2. The other two contacts 3' and d are located at opposite sides of the contact 22". The contacts 3 and t are connected by the conductors 3 and 4, respectively, to the terminals of the motor windings E and IE not connected to the conductor 2d.

The switch mechanism M is biased for return into a neutral or normal position, in which the containers of both switches MA and MB are horizontal, when the energization of the control motor L is interrupted following its operation in either direction. As diagrammatically shown, the biasing means comprises a spring M connecting a pin M carried by the disc M to a stationary anchorage M The spring M is under tension and the parts M and M are so arranged that when the motor L is deenergized, the spring M will return the disc M to, and hold it in the angular position shown in Figs. 3 and a.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3, on an energization of the motor L for operation in either direction, a small initial movement of the motor gives sufiicient angular movement to the switch MA to connect the conductors 2d and 2t without giving sumcient movement to the switch rm to interrupt the normal connection of the contact 22" with each of the In consequence, the said initial movement or the motor L energizes both windings E and E 50 that each neutralizes the tendency of the other to start the motor E into rotation. As the movement of the motor L con= tinues, the further movement given the switch MB results in breaking the connection between contact 22 and one or the other of the contacts 3 or i. When the motion of the motor L is clockwise, for example, it eventually interrupts the connection between the contact 22 and the contact 3, and thereby deenergizes the motor winding E whereupon the motor winding E effects rotation of the motor E in one direction. Rotation of the motor E in the opposite direction, occurs when unbalance in the control circuit network produces a counterclockwise rotation of the motor L, and a movement of the switch rm in the direction to interrupt connection between the central contact 22 and the contact 3, thereby deenergizing the winding E As soon as the motor L is deenergized, or its energizing force is sufiiciently reduced, the switch mechanisrn M-is returned to its normal or neutral position by the action of the spring M In the course of the switch mechanism return, the switch MB is adjusted into the position in which its contact 22 is connected to both of the contacts 3 and d, before the movement of the switch MA is suficient to interrupt connection between the conductors 20 and ii. In consequence, both motor windings E and E are energized during a portion of the time reessence This subjects the motor E to an electromagnetic braking or stalling action, 'efiectively opposing coasting movement of the motor.

As will be apparent, the motor actuated mercury switch mechanism M may be adjusted or controlled by means other than the amplifier controlled motor L shown in Fig. 3. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the switch mechanism M may be actuated by a. reversible motor LA, which is controlled by a relay switch F, adjusted and controlling the motor LA, as the switch F of Fig. 2 is adjusted and controls the operation of the motor E.

In lieu of the resetting or compensating motor G and control provisions therefor shown in Figs; 2 and 3, I may make use of other forms of a reversible electric motor and appropriate control provisions therefor. For example, I may use in lieu of the motor G", the motor G shown in Fig. 5. The latter comprises field windings G and G, corresponding generally to the wind ings G and G of the motor G", and each having one terminal connected to the supply conductor branch 15. The other terminal of the winding G is connected to a contact G as inFigs. 2 and 3. The second terminal of the winding G is permanently connected, however, to the branch H! of the second supply conductor. The winding G which is energized at all times, has a smaller motor energizing effect than does the winding G As shown the windings G and G are alike, but the efiect o! the winding G is reduced by the series resistance G The winding G effects motor'operation in one direction'whenever the contact D is below and out of engagement with the contact G". when the contact D engages the contact D and theredescribed, it is. possible to eii'ect a very sharp change in the direction of reset motor rotation,

when the contacts D' and D move irom one side to the other of their neutral, or normal control point, positions. With the reset motor energized as shown in Fig. 5, the control circuit is continuously resetting itself at all times, the magnitude and rate of reset being determined by the "position of the contact G or other reset adjustment contact.

The control system shown in'Fig. 6 is adapted in a manner generally like or analogous to that clusion of means comprising a potentiometer resistor o, for effecting sensitivity adjustments,

and in that it includes areset motor G and associated control provisions arranged as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 6, also, the reset motor windings G and G are each connected at one end to one terminal 2,3 of the secondary of the circuit encutting more or less of the resistance 71. out of I circuit. As shown, each end of the resistor 28 is' connected to the corresponding transformer terminal, 23 or 24, through a fixed resistor ea. The switch blades N and N are at all times' connected to the transformer terminals 23 and 24, res ctively. The switch terminal engaged by the blade N in its full line position, is connected by a conductor 26 and resistor da to one end 0! the resistor d, and by conductor 26 to one end of resistor gb. In its full line position switch blade N issimilarly'connected by a conductor 21 to the second end of resistor ab, and through a second fixed resistor dc to the second end of the resistor d. The use of the fixed resistors ea and da contributes to increase in throttling, or control, range adjustment, and in the range of resetting, or compensating adjustment.

The sensitivity adjustment resistor o of Fig. 6

is connected between the contacts E and G and as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 this resistor may be included in the amplifier J. One end of the resistor is connected to the terminal J of the amplifier and the other end is connected to the terminal J, and a contact 0' engaging and adjustable along the length of the resistor o is provided for adjusting the portion of the potential difference between the contacts E and G to be amplified. The contact 0' may be manually adjusted by a rotatable knob Q. The device J may control the adjustment of the contacts E and valve B, through a control motor L and relay motor E as in Fig. 3.

As will be apparent, the voltage impressed on the amplifier J or other responsive device of Fig. 6, is a fraction or percentage of the potential difference between the contacts E and G which can be varied by adjustment of the contact 0 along the resistor o. The sensitivity adjustment for use as an automatic control system operating of the systems previously described or, alternatively, for the use of some of its parts in manual control operations, wherein the motor E is automatically actuated to give the fuel valve B an adjustment corresponding to the setting or position of a manually adjustable control element.

Whether the control system of Figure 6 is in condition to act as an automatic control system,

a or as a manually controlled system, depends upon whether switch blades N and N are in their full line or dotted line positions, respectively.

The switch blades N and W form parts of a.

double pole switch N including a switch .lever which is adjustable to move the switch blades N, N between their full and dotted line positions. With the switch blades N and N in their full line positions, the control system of Fig. 6 is quite similar to the system' of Fig. 3, though. it diners from the latter in the form of the means provided for throttling range adjustments, and by the inthe transformer terminals 23 and 24, in parallel thus provided, permits of regulation of the control system to effect adjustments ofthe valve B or analogous control device in steps which are as fine or small as is possible with the associated regulating mechanism, without giving rise to the objectionable hunting tendency, which is inevitable when the regulation is too fine or close.

Such a hunting tendency is increased by any slight coasting or over travel permitted in'the control relay motor serving the general purposes of applicants motor E or in other moving parts of .the system.

When the switch blades N and N of Fig. 6 are adjusted into their dotted line positions, the resistors d and gb are deenergized, and each of the switch blades N and N is then connected to P engaging and adjustable along a knob P hav-- ing an operating connection 1* with the contact With the switch blades N and N in their position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, the control apparatus will automatically energize the motor E as required to make the potential of the contact E the same as the potential of the contact P', regardless of the position into which the latter is manually adjusted. When the adjustment position of the contact P is changed, the apparatus operates automatically to produce a corresponding change in position of the contact E.

As those skilled in the art will understand, it is particularly desirable to be able to shift quickly and easily from a normal automatic control to a manual control; for various purposes and operation periods. Thus manual control is frequently desirable in starting up and closing downoperations, and as a result of emergency or other sudden or radial changes in operating conditions. The arrangement shown in Fig. 6 permits of a quick and easy change in either direction between automatic and. manual control, and permits of efiective use in manual control, of features, such as the sensitivity adjustment device of Fig. 6, and the apparatus controlledjusting the contact G along the resistor gb,

simultaneously adjusts a contact G along a resistor g'd, connected between the transformer secondary terminal conductors 23 and 24. The

contactG is. connected to the contact E by a resistor ye. A contact G engaging and adjustable along the resistor ge is connected to the terminal of the potentiometer resistance 0,

bly with an undesirable efl'ect, when the switch blades N and N are intheir dotted line positions. f

Fig. 8 illustrates a modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7, providing an anticipatory a value different from its normal value, but

preventing operation of the motor G' when the control quantity is approaching its normal value.

To this end, the reset motor G7 of Fig. 8 has its field windings G and G connected to contacts G and (1 through mercury switches Q and QArespectively, the second terminals of the windings G and G being connected through conductor IE to conductor 21, and the contact D being connected to the conductor 26. The switches Q and QA are operatively connected to the shaft of the reversible control motor L, so that the movement of the latter out of its neutral position produced by an increase in the value of the controllingquantity opens the switch Q, and closes the switch QA, while movement of the motor L out of its neutral position in the opposite direction opens the switch QA, and closes the switch Q. In the neutral position of the armature L, the switches Q and QA are both closed.

With the control quantity above its normal value, the motor G is energized through conwhich in Fig. 6 is connected to the contact E.

The operating connection between the motor G" and the contacts G and G are such, that the movement given the contacts G and G are in opposite directions. The practical 'efiect of this is to make it possible to double the re sistance and reset adjustment eiifect produced by a given movement of the reset motor G Fig. 7 also includes provisions whereby a. rotation of the reset rate adjustment knob G of Fig. 7 adjusting the contact G to the right or left, correspondingly adjusts the contact (3- to the left or right, respectively. This permits of a total reset adjustment effect which is approximatelydoubl that obtainable by adjusting the contact G13 only.

The circuit'of Fig. '1 difiers from that of Fig. 6, in form in that the connections of the contacts 13 and G with the winding G and "resistance G" are interchanged. Fig. '7 differs from Figv 6,

in having its reset motor resistance G" and con-.

tacts D and G and switch QA, only if the latter is closed. In consequence, the reset motor G can operate when the control quantity is above normal value, only if the control quantity is stationary or increasing. When the control.

quantity is decreasing, the motor L will turn to operate the control motor E (not shown in Fig. 8), to check the control quantity decrease, the switch QA will be open and the reset motor will be inoperative.- Similarly, when the control quantity is below normal, the motor G can operate only during periods in which the control quantity is stationary, or is decreasing, since when the control quantity is increasing, the resultant displacement of the motor L from its neutral position opens the switch Q.

The control system illustrated inlFig. 8 also includes provisions whereby manual reset may be effected whether the system is in condition to act under full automatic control, or as a manually controlled system. As illustrated a resistor g is inserted between the conductor 23 and N and a similar resistor go is inserted between the conductor 24 and N contact Ga engaging and adjustable along the resistor g is provided for adjusting the effective portion of this resistor in circuit and a rheostat "contact Gb engaging and adjustable along resistor 9a is provided forchanging the effective portion of this "resistor in circuit. The resistors g and go. correspond generally to' the resistors g and ya of the Fig. 1 arrangement and may be A rheostat such alternative manual or automatic adjustments will be describedin detail hereinafter in connection with Fig. 9. and for the present purposes it is noted that the arrangement includes frictional engaging means whereby the knob G may be rotated to effect adjustment of the resistors g and ya independently of the reset motor G" even while thesystem is in condition to act as an automatically controlled system. and when the motor 'G" is effective to cause adjustment of the resistors g and ya, the knob G is rotated idly.

As shown the terminals of the secondary winding of the transformer I are directly connected to the terminals of the balancing resistor e through a corresponding resistor ea, and are connected through the adjustable resistors g and go to the switch blades N and N Thus, when the switch blades are in their full line positions the transformer secondary terminals will be connected to the terminals of the instrument resistor (1 through the resistors g and go. When the switch blades are adjusted to their dotted line positions for manual control, they operatively disconnect the resistor d from the control circuit and operatively connect into the latter two fixed resistors p and pa, which are connected in series between switch blades N and N Since the resistors g and ya are thus included in the control circuit with the system adjusted for either manual or automatic control, the control system may be manually reset to the control point at any time regardless of whether the system is adjusted for automatic or manual control.

The resistors p and pa. are of equal magnitude and, as illustrated, their adjacent ends are connected to one another and to the instrument contact D. The purpose of these resistors is to provide what in effect is a potentiometer resistance, whereby when the apparatus is adjusted for manual control, the instrument contact D' will be maintained at the same potential as it would have in normal automatic control when in its mid or normal value position. With the arrangement of Fig. 8 the contact D may be connected to one input terminal J of the amplifier and the second amplifier input terminal J may be connected to the contact E.

In Fig. 8A I have illustrated, more or less die-.- grammatically, a further modification of a portion of the Fig. 8 arrangement in which the switch blades N and N and the potentiometer resistors 10 and pa may be dispensed with, thereby effecting a material reduction in the apparatus involved. As illustrated, with this arrangement the terminals of the instrument resistor d are adapted to be permanently connected tween contact I) and resistor gd may be arranged to be connected alternately to contact I) and the mid point of resistor d.

To obtain the general advantage of the Fig. 8 arrangement with moderate displacements of the control quantity from its normal value, while obtaining the full reset motor operation effect when the control value is more widely displaced from its normal value, use may be made of the arrangement shown in Fig. 813. That arrangement differs from the Fig, 8 arrangement only by the addition of a contact G above the contact G and of a contact 6 below the contact G. The contact G1 is connected to the conductor through which the winding G is connectcd to the switch QA, and the contact G is connected to the conductor through which the winding (3 is connected to the switch Q. In

, consequence with the contact D in engagement with either of the contacts G or G operation of the reset motor will be continuous and not dependent on the adjustment of either of the v switches Q and QA.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated a preferred circuit arrangement for securing the same general control actions and effects as are obtainable with the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 3, and the modifications or developments thereof, shown in Fig. 7. The elements of the circuit arrangement of Fig. 9 forthe most part, are similar in character and purposejto parts designated by the same reference symbols, which are shown in other figures and have already been described. The principal difference between the arrangement shown in Fig. 9, and thosepreviously described, is in respect to the manner in which manual control is effected.

In Fig. 9, when switch blades N and N are adjusted into their dotted line, positions for manual control, they operatively disconnect the resistor d and fixed resistors do from the control circuit, and operatively connect into the latter two fixed resistors g] one connecting one, and the to the terminals of the secondary winding of the transformer I through corresponding resistors g and 9a, and a switch blade N is provided for adjusting the system for automatic or manual control. The switch blade N is connected to one a terminal J of the amplifier J and in its full line position is directly connected to the instrument contact D. When adjusted to its dotted line position the contact N operatively disconnects the contact D from the control circuit and operatively connects the amplifier'terminal J to 'a center tap d on the instrument resistor d, and

thus operates to maintain the amplifier terminal J at the potential it would have if the system were adjusted for automatic control and the instrument contact D were in its mid position. A similar arrangement may be incorporated in Fig. 3, for example, in which the connection beother the second of the switch blades N and N to the end of the resistance go remote from the contact (3 The resistances of are 01 equal magnitude, and collectively their resistances should be great enough to prevent an objectionably large current flow through. them between the transformer terminals 23 and 24. Their purpose is to collectively provide what may be called a potentiometer resistance, whereby when the apparatus is adjusted for manual control, the end of the resistance yc remote from the contact G is maintained at the same potential as it would have in normal automatic control, when the instrument contact D is in its mid, normal value position.

The adjustment of the switch blades N and N into their dotted line, manual control positions, renders the reset motor G inoperative, since the contact D is connected to the conductor 21 through which one end of the resistor d is con-- nected to a terminal of the switch N, which is engaged, or not engaged, by the blade N accordingly as the switch N is in its automatic or manual control position. 7

With the switch blades N. and N in their dotted line positions, manual control is effected by manual adjustment of the contacts (3 and G along the reset resistors ab and yd along which those contacts are adjusted by the reset motor G in automatic control. I

The means shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9, and shown also in Figs. 11 and 12 for the manual and automatic adjustments of the contacts G and G comprise a gear (3r on the shaft Ci* of reset motor G", a gear G in mesh with the gear G gear G coaxial with and irictionally connected to the gear G, a gear G in mesh with the gear G and also in mesh with a gear P carried by the shaft of the manual control knob or dial P. The gear G is carried by a shaft G, which is operatively connected to the contacts G and G so that one of the latter is raised as the other is lowered when the gear G is turned in one direction or the other. With the reset motor Gr out of operation, the contact G and 6" may be adjusted by the knob P, the friction clutch connection between gears G and C1 yielding to permit the adjustment. In automatic control operation, the knob P is rotated, idly, through the gear G whenever the latter i rotated by the reset motor 6-".

The control circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 9 includes a manually controlled switch IA, for opening and closing the entirecontrol circuit when desirable. Manually operated switches IA and IA. are also provided which are adapted to interrupt the bridge and reset circuits respectively it desired. A switch 1A is inserted-in the common lead between motor windings E and it i and line .i which when opened-together with switch IA deenergizes the bridge circuit and the circuit to motor E but does not deenergize the amplifier 'J The last mentioned switch arrange ment is useful in a multiple recorder responsive successively to a plurality of conditions not all of which are desired tocontrol the valve motor. It also includes a four-electrode tilting mercury switch MC which is tilted'in one direction or the other to energize one or the other of the field windings E and E of the relay motor E, whenever the control motor L is started into operation in one direction or the other. MC thus replaces the two switches MA and m of Fig. 3, as the switch means through which the amplifier J and the motor L control the energizetion of the relay motor E. The switch MC, howevendoes not give. the protection against motor The switch aca acee The contacts N and N are connected to the contacts G and G 3, respectively.

coasting, which is obtainable by the use of the switches MA and MB.

Manual control by reset contact adjustment,

may be effected with circuit arrangements and adjusting mechanisms quite diiferent in form from those shown in Fig. 9. Thus. for example, manual control may be efiected with the circuit arrangement of Fig. 3, modified only by the additionof the switches N and N shown in Fig. 3A.

With the switch N of Fig. 3A in its normal full line position, the contact D is connected to the resistance ad in Fig. 3A, just as'it is permanently connected in Fig. 3. With the switch N" of Fig. 3A in its dotted line position, however, the contact D is disconnected, from the control circuit,-

and the center tap (1 of the resistor d is connected to the reset contact G through-the resistance yd. With the switch N of Fig. 3A in its full line position, the coritact D is connected through the conductor it to the supply conductor was.

As will be apparent, with the switch N in its dotted line position, the position of the contact E is dependent upon the position of the contact G Any change in adjustment of the contact G will then change the potential difiercnce between the contacts E' and G which is impressed on the amplifier J, and will result in an energize.- tion of the motor E in the direction of the magnitude required for such adjustment of the contact E as is needed to neutralize the potential difierence between the contacts E and G created by said change in adjustment of the contact G With the switch N in engagement with the con-- tact N the motor G will be energized to adjust the contact G in one direction and the contact G will be adjusted in the opposite direction by the motor G when the switch N is in engage ment with the contact N It is thus possible by adjustment of the switches ltl and N into their full line positions to obtain the automatic control provided for in Fig. 3, and by adjustment oi said switches into other positions to make the adjustment position of the valve B wholly subject to manual controL-although the valve adjustment is efiected through the motor E.

In some cases, it may be desirable to operate with manual control for periods of considerable duration. In other cases, the switches N and N shown in Fig. 3A may be adjusted out of their full line positions only for brief intervals required for manually effecting reset adjustments in anticipation of a change in operating conditions,

' which would result in a delayed automatic reset adjustment, but for the manually efiected anticipating adjustment.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3A, the

switches N and N may be connected by a link N so that the switches will turn simultaneously into and out of their full line positions. In such case, the switch contact d connected to the tap 11 is in the form of an are so that the connection between switch N and contact (1 is not interrupted by changes in position of the switch N corresponding to the changes in position of the switch N, as the latter moves between its posi-- tions of engagement with the contacts N and connected for simultaneous movement, form parts of a single manually operable switch, by which the control system may be made subject either to automatic control or to manual control, and by which anticipatory reset adjustments may be manually efiiected. It is in general essential that the switch N should be located at the in? strument, but the switch N if not mechanically connected to the switch N may be located at a distance from the instrument, thereby providing for remote manual control.

I have also illustrated in Fig. 3A means for adjusting the contacts G and G relative to the resistor d by means including a slidim part All.

on which the reset contacts are mounted. The

member AA may be adjusted longitudinally of the resistor d by means of adjusting screw AA in threaded engagement with a projection All of the member AA and a boss AA forming part of the instrument framework. If desired the contacts G and G may be left stationary and the resistor d mounted on the member All for adjustment relative thereto. As shown the con-= tacts G and G may be made shorter than the correspondingly identified contacts of the figures previously described. and a pair of contacts G In effect, the switch parts N and N thus cooperate to adjust a pivoted about its pivotal axis D into different positions and G may be provided which are also adapted to be contacted by the member D and are adjustable toward and away from the control point to-thereby make adjustable the range through which the reset motor is operated.

In Figs. 11 to 15, I have illustrated one form of control apparatus for use in conjunction with, and to provide parts of, the control circuit arrangement of Fig. 9. It is to be understood, however, that most of the apparatus parts shown in Figs. 11 to 15, may be used with other control circuit forms, of the invention. The apparatus shown in Fig. 11 comprises a control panel R,

in which is mounted a control instrument DD,

for measuring furnace temperature control quantity and for adjusting the contacts D and D" of Fig. 9. In addition, panel R provides a support for all of the control apparatus shown in Fig. 9, except the relay motor E and associated balancing resistor e, both of which ordinarily must be located adjacent the fuel valve B or other device controlled, and at a distance from the control apparatus shown in Figs. 11 to 15.

' As shown, the control instrument DD is of the commercial Brown Potentiometer type, including a pen carriage D which is deflected in accordthe control contacts G and G of Fig. 9, respectively.

The panel R supports at its rear side, and be- I for the reset resistors, a control motor L, and

ance with variations in the quantity measured by means of a screw shaft D The latter is rotated in one direction or the other by the rebalancing mechanism of the instrument, in responseto deflections of the pointer D of a galvanometer which responds to unbalance in the potentiometer measuring system. When such a potentiometric instrument is used in lieu of the simple Bourdon tube type of thermometer D of Fig. 9, the furnace temperature responsive bulb C of Fig. 9 is ordinarily replaced by a thermocouple, and the galvanometer responds to unbalance between the thermocouple voltage and the voltage drop in the variable portion of,,potentiometer slide wire resistance portion, connected in series with the thermocouple and galvanometer. Further description or illustration of the measuring and rebalancing features of the instrument DD is unnecessary, as they form no part of the present invention, and in respect to those features, the instrument DD is of well known commercial type, and generally like, or equivalent in principle to, the control potentiometer instrument shown in the Harrison Patent ,No. 1,946,280, granted Feb. 6, 1934.

The Brown Potentiometer control instrument pen carriage D, gives movements to a pen D tracing a record of the value of thequantity measured on a chart D and cooperates, for control purposes, with a control table D The latter is located at a point along the path of travel of the pen carriage D which may be adjusted, and-which fixes the normal or desired value of the control quantity measured by the instrument. A part D carried by the control table D and a cooperating part D of the pen carriage D.

part i) angularly 'justments corresponding-to those given the part D. The rock shaft D supports and moves arms which constitute, or carry, the contacts D and D of Fig. 9, which engage the resistor 12 and the switch MC, tilted by the motor L and controlling the relay motor E. As shown, the switch MC is mounted in a support M osciliated by the motor L, and returned to its normal position,

when the motor L is deenergized, by return means including a spring M similar to that connected to the switch carrying disc M of Figs. 3 and 4.

The frame M carries an are shaped indicating part M", located back of an opening R in the panel B and indicating whether the switch MC is in a position to energize in one direction or the other, or deenergize the motor E.

Mounted on the panel R at the front side of the latter are the previously mentioned knobs or dials G, H, and P, for effecting reset and throttling range adjustments and for effecting manual control. Also mounted on the panel R in position for adjustment from in front of the latter, are the switch N for shifting between automatic and manual control, the sensitivity adjustment device 0, and the power switch IA.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the instrument DD of Figs. 11 to 15 may be replaced by an instrument of any other known or suitable form, adapted to measure a control quantity, and directly, or through a suitable relay 'mechanism, give corresponding adjustments to the contacts D and D The control quantity is not necessarily a temperature, but may be a pressure, velocity, gravitational or other force, susceptible of measurement by the instrument, and the measure of which may be advantageously utilized in effecting control operations.

As will be apparent, the amplifier J, when used in accordance with the present invention, may take various forms, a preferred form being illustrated by way of example in Fig. 10.

As illustrated, the amplifier input terminals J and J are connected to the terminals of the resistor 0 which is provided for adjusting the sensitivity of the instrument as hereinbeiore described. Specifically, a variable portion of the potential drop across resistoro is adapted to be impressed upon the input circuit of an elec-,

I includes an anode J, the cathode J a heater fil'ament J the control grid J a screen grid J, and a suppressor grid J which is connected to the cathode J As shown the end of the resistor 0 which is connected to the cathode J may desirably be connected to ground as indicated at J and a cathode biasing resistor J' shunted by a condenser J may be inserted in the connection between the cathode J and ground.

Anode voltage is suppliedthe valve J from a suitable rectifier J which may be energized from the alternating current supply conductors land 2 through a rectifier valve J and a transformer J. 'The transformer J is a combination step up and step down transformer and includes a line voltage primary winding J a high voltage secondary winding J3 and low voltage secondary windings J and J The rectifier valve J may bea conventional full wave rectifier valve and is shown having each of its anodes J and J connected to a respective terminal of the transformer secondary winding J and its filament cathode J connected to the terminals of the secondary winding J and adapted to receive energizing current therefrom.

A center tap on the secondary winding J constitutes the negative terminal of the rectifier and is connected to the grounded side of the amplifier by a conductor 28 and one side of the secondary winding J constitutes the positive side of the rectifier and is connected to the anode J by a conductor 29 in which a pair of resistors J and J are inserted. Voltage is applied to the screen grid J from the rectifier J and as shown is connected to the positive side thereof by a conductor 30 through a resistor J 1; As shown, a condenser J may desirably be connected between the screen grid J and the grounded side of the amplifier so that a direct current voltage which is substantially free from alternating current ripples will be applied to screen grid J Similarly a condenser J may be connected between, the point of connection of resistors J and J and ground for filtering the direct current voltage applied on the anode J As illustrated, the sliding contact may desirably be connected to the grid cap of valve J when a grid cap is provided, and when metal tubes are employed the metal case may be connected to the grounded side of the amplifier by a conductor 3|, for example.

The output circuit of valve J is resistancecapacity coupled to the input circuit of a second electronic valve 3| which is shown as a heater type pentode including an anode J, a cathode J a heater filament J a control grid J", a screen grid J and a suppressor grid J As shown the anode J of valve J is connected through a condenser J and a resistor J to the grounded side'of the amplifier and the point of connection of the condenser J and resistor J is connected to the control grid J 'of valve J The cathode J is connected through a cathode biasing resistor J which is shunted by a by-pass condenser J" to the grounded side of the amplifier so that the pulsations in the current conducted by the valve J as a result of the appearance of an alternating voltage across the terminals of resistor 0 will result in the application of a corresponding fluctuating potential to the input circuit of valve J Thescreen grid J of valve J is connected by a conductor 3| to the conductor 30 which is connected to the screen grid J of valve J so that the two screen grids J and J are maintained at the same potential. Anode voltage is supplied the valve J from the rectifier J and as shown the anode J is connected by a conductor 32 which the primary winding J of a transformer J is inserted and a conductor 33.

to the point of connection of resistors J" and J.

The terminals of the secondary winding-J of transformer J are connected to respective control grids J and J of a pair of electronic valves J and J which desirably may be connected in push pull. The valve J is a heater type tetrode preferably of the type known commercially as beam power amplifier tubes and includes an anode J", a cathode J, a heater filament J a control grid J, and a screen grid quired for satisfactory operation and may there-- J and the valve J which is of a similar .type includes an anode J a cathode J a heater'filament J, a control grid J and ascreen grid J Anode voltage-is supplied these valves from the rectifier J and as shown the anodes J and J" are connected to respective ends of the secondary winding J of a' transformer J and a center tap on the winding is connected by a conductor 34 directly to the positive side of the rectifier. The grounded side of the amplifier is connected to a center tap on the transformer secondary winding J and through a cathode biasing iesistor'J to the cathodes of valves J and J which are connected together. Voltage may be supplied-the screen grids J and J from the rectifier J through a resistor J It is noted that the anode and screen grid voltages applied to the valves.J and J" are filtered by the condensers J" and J" but that the anode and screen grid voltages applied the valves J and J are not filtered. In operation I have found that filtering of the direct current voltages applied the valves J and J 52 is not refore be omitted resulting in a material reduction in the apparatus involved.

A condenser J is preferably, although not necessarily connected between the sliding contact 0 and ground to so filter the alternating current flow through the resistor o as to prevent the passage of disturbing high frequency currents. Similarly a condenser J may be connected between the control grid J of valve J and ground to filter out any disturbing high frequency currents which may not have been stopped by the condenser J.

In operation when an alternating voltage of line frequency appears across the terminals of the resistor 0, the valve J will be alternately rendered more conductive and less conductive and accordingly a pulsating potential of phase dependent upon the phase or the A. C. input voltage willbe applied to the input circuit of valve J. This pulsating potential is amplified by the valve J and the resulting pulsating current flows through the transformer primary winding J result in the induction of an alternating voltage of line frequency in the transformer secondary winding J. The transformer J is preferably a step-up transformer so that the voltage across the secondary winding J will be higher than the voltage across the primary winding J When the control grids J and J of valves J and J are at the same potential both of these valves will-be equally conductive and a steady current will flow through the opposite halves of the transformer primary winding J When an alternating voltage appears across the terminals of the transformer secondary winding J however, the potentials of grid J and J are swung, in opposite phase, at a frequency corresponding to the supply line frequency and the valves J and J are each alternately rendered more conductive and less conductive, one ,valve being more conductive while the other is less conductive. 'The resulting pulsating current flows through the transformer primary winding J in successively opposite directions through the opposite halves of the transformer result in the induction of an alternating voltage of line frequency in the transformer secondary winding J whose phase and amplitude is determined by the phase and amplitude of the alternating voltage across the terminals of resistor o.

The terminals of the transformer secondary winding .1 are connected to one phase winding L 'of the two phase rotating field motor L and the other phase winding IF of the motor is connected to a suitable voltage shown as including one side of the secondary of transformer I and the mid point thereof. By properly proportion-- ing the various circuit constants in the amplifier, I have found that a phase shift of approximately 90 may be made to occur between the alternating voltage across the terminals of the transformer secondary winding J and the alternating voltage impressed on the terminals of the resistor and since the motor winding L is arranged to be energized by currents in phase with or 180 out of phase with the line voltage, the magnetic fields set up by the two motor windings will be displaced by approximately 90 with the result that a rotating magnetic field will be set up in the motor in one direction or the other and the motor rotor will accordingly be rotated in a corresponding direction. Thus, depending upon the phase of the alternating voltage impressed upon the terminal of the resistor o the motor L will be selectively energized for rotation in one direction or the other.

As shown a condenser .3 may be connecte across the terminals of the transformer secondary winding J for tuning the transformer J to resonance at the frequency of the supply conductors I and 2 and for impressing a full wave alternating voltage upon the control grids J and J from the pulsations impressed upon the transformer primary winding J by the valve J A condenser J of suitable capacity may be connected across the terminals of the transformer primary winding J In order to prevent damage to any of the circuit components in the event of accidental short circuiting of points of widely displaced potentials, for example, as may be occasioned by faulty valve construction, a fuse J" of suitable capacity may desirably be connected between the center tap on the transformer secondary winding J and the conductor 28. Thus, if the rectifier J is overloaded as a result of a short circuit condition, the fuse will be blown, thereby preventing damage to the transformer J or any other of the circuit parts.

It is noted that an amplifier J having no provisions for introducing a phase shift in the amplifled voltage may be employed if a motor L having one winding of relatively high inductance and one winding of relatively low inductance is employed. The highly inductive winding may be connected to the supply conductors I and 2 and as will be apparent the current flow in that winding will lag nearly behind the voltage of I the supply conductors I and 2. With this arrangement the winding of low inductance may and should be connected to the output terminals of the amplifier and the amplifier should preferably include means to prevent the current fiow in that winding from appreciably lagging behind or leading the exciting voltage between conductors I and 2. In consequence, the current fiow in the low inductance motor winding will lead or lag by nearly 90 the current fiow in the highly inductive wind ng, accordingly as the alternating potential impressed on the amplifier input terminals is in phase with or out of phase with the voltage-of the supply conductors I and 2.

A will be clear from the foregoing, the proportioning and reset adjustment elements may be widely varied in their cooperative relations within the scope of this invention. The resistor 11 may be adjusted relative to the contacts G and G if it is desired that a larger part or all of the valve throttling action shall take place on one side of. the control point" or neutral position. The contacts G and (i may also be varied so as to be ineffective along certain parts of the scale as may be desirable in certain cases such for example as during a heating up period in a temperature control system. The contacts G -G and G -G 3 may, furthermore, be arranged generally as shown in Fig. 8A with a plurality of segments connected to the reset motor fields through resistances of diiferent values whereby the reset motor speed may be varied in accordance with the extent of departure of the condition or contacts G and G themselves may be formed of high resistance material, in convolutions if necessary, so that the reset motor speed is controlled.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best forms of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the forms of the apparatus and methods disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an electrical control system, a bridge circuit including measuring and reset resistors, measuring and reset contacts respectively engaging said resistors, each said resistor and associated contact being adapted for relative movement to form measuring and reset couples, means responsive to the direction of departure of a control quantity from a normal value of said quantity for correspondingly adjusting the measuring couple relative to a normal adjustment of the latter, means responsive to the direction and duration of said departure for adrespectively engaging said resistors, each said resistor and associated contact being 'adapted for relative movement to form measuring, control and reset couples, means responsive to the direction of departure of a control quantity from a normal value of said quantity for correspondingly adjusting the measuring couple, means responsive to the direction and duration of said departurefor correspondingly adjusting said reset couple, a control device, a resistor connecting said measuring and reset contacts, a contact which and the last mentioned resistor are relatively adjustable, and means responsive to the potential difference between the last mentioned contact and said control contact for effecting adjustments of said device tending to maintain said quantity approximately at said normal value, and for effecting adjustments of said control couple proportional to the previously mentioned adjustments. V

3. In an electric control system, a bridge circuit including measuring, control and reset resistors, measuring, control and reset contacts respectively engaging said resistors, each said re.- sistor and associated contact being adapted for relative movement to form measuring, control and reset couples, means responsive to the direction of departure of a control quantity froma value of said quantity for correspondingly adjusting the measuring couple, means responsive to the direction and duration of said departure for correspondingly adjusting said reset couple, a control device, a resistance connecting said reset contact to a point in said circuit normally at the same potential as the measuring contact, and means responsive to the difierence between the potential drop in the portion of control resistor at one side of the control contact and the sum of the potential drops in the reset resistor at one side of the reset contact and in said resistance, for effecting adjustments of said device tending to maintain said quantity approximately at a said normal value, and for effecting adjustments of said control couple proportional to the previously mentioned adjustments.

4. In an electrical control'system, a bridge circuit including measuring and reset resistors measuring and reset contacts respectively engaging said resistors, each said resistor and associated contact being adapted for relative movement to form measuring and reset couples, means responsive to the direction of departure of a control quantity from a normal value thereof for correspondingly adjusting the measuring couple relative to a normal adjustment of the latter, a reversible electric motor adapted to adjust said reset couple in a direction corresponding to the direction of motor operation, means independent of the actual value of said quantity for continuously energizing said motor for operation in one direction, and means dependent on the value of said quantity for neutralizing the effect of said motor energizing means and energizing said motor in the opposite direction whenever the value of said quantity is at one side of the said normal value thereof.

5. In an electric control system, a bridge circuit including measuring and reset resistors, measuring and reset contacts respectively engaging said resistors, each said resistor and associated contact being adapted for relative movement to form measuring and reset couples, means responsive to the direction of departure of a control quantity from a normal value thereof for correspondingly adjusting the measurin couple, a reversible electric motor adapted to adjust said reset contact in a direction dependent on the direction of motor operation, said motor having two energizing circuits, one of which is continuously energized and subjects the motor to an energizing efiect adapted to operate the motor in one direction when the other circuit is not energized, and said other circuit being adapted, when energized, to subject the motor to an energizing effect opposite in direction to and more powerful than the first mentioned efiect, means for energizing and deenergizing said second energizing circuit accordingly as the value of said quantity is at one side or the other of a predetermined normal value thereof, and control means actuated in accordance with the adjustments of the measuring and reset couples following said departure.

.6. In an electric control system, a bridge circuit including measuring and reset resistors, measuring and reset contacts respectively engaging said resistors, each said resistor and associated contact being adapted for relative movement to form measuring and reset couples, means responsive to the direction of departure of a control quantity from a normal value thereof for correspondingly adjusting the measuring couple, resetting means having a continuous tendency to adjust said reset couple in one direction and means for neutralizing said tendency and adjusting said reset couple in the opposite direction when the value of said quantity is at one side of a normal value thereof, and 'control means actuated in accordance with the adjustments of said measuring and reset couples following said departure.

7. In an electric control system, a bridge circuit including a measuring resistor, a control resistor, and two reset resistors all connected in parallel, measuring, control and reset contacts, respectively engaging said resistors, each said resistor and associated contact being adapted for relative movement to' form measuring, control and reset couples, means responsive to the direction of departure of the control quantity from a normal value thereof for correspondingly adjusting said measuring couple, means responsive to the direction and duration of said departure for correspondingly adjusting each of said reset couples, a resistance connecting one of said reset contacts to said control contact, a resistance connecting the other reset contact to the measuring contact, an adjustablecontrol device effecting a control action and an adjustment of said control couple each proportional to adjustment of said device, and means responsive to a potential difference between an intermediate point of one of said resistances and an intermediate point of the other resistance for adjusting said device in. the direction to neutralize said potential dilference.

8. In an electric control system, a bridge circuit including a measuring resistor, a control resistor, and two reset resistors all connected in parallel, measuring, control and reset contacts,

I respectively engaging said resistors, each said resistor and associated contact being adapted for relative movement to form measuring, control and reset couples, means responsive to the direction of departure, of the control quantity from a normal value thereof for correspondingly adjusting said measuring couple, means responsive to the direction and duration of said departure for correspondingly adjusting each of said'reset couples, an adjustable control device and means through which its adjustment eifects proportional adjustment of said control couple, a slide wire resistance connecting one of said reset contacts to said control contact, a slide wire resistance connecting the other reset contact to the measuring contact, a contact engaging each of said resistances, each of the last mentioned contacts and resistances being relatively adjustable to form two control couples, and means responsive to a potential difference between the last mentioned contacts for adjusting said device in the direction to neutralize said potential difierence and means for simultaneously adjusting the last mentioned couples.

9. A control system as specified in claim 8, including manually operable means for simulta- 

